Memoir describes rural childhood

Larada Horner-Miller has written a memoir, “This Tumbleweed Landed,” about growing up in a ranching family in Branson. The collection of poems and prose is divided into eight sections, each weaving a nostalgic story — play times with friends and neighbors, favorite hiding places, living without a telephone, Saturday night dances, hot days working with 4-H at the county fair.

The book takes readers to an idyllic, tightknit community in rural America of the 1950s and ’60s.

Horner-Miller now lives in the Albuquerque, N.M., area. She is a poet and essayist and had a 27-year career in education. Her other publications include “Let Me Tell You a Story,” “Branson-Trinchera Historic Photos” (co-authored with Puebloan Tom Cummins), and “Building Capacity with the Common Core State Standards for ELA-Literacy” (co-authored with Karen White).

“This Tumbleweed Landed” is available at The Bookery, 607 N. Main St., where a reading and a book-signing are scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday.

— Mary Jean Porter

“Last Hope,” by Michael Tipton, Starry Night Publishing, $8.10

Former Puebloan Michael Tipton has released a series of fantasy fiction books based in the Pueblo area. The first is “Last Hope.”

Tipton retired two years ago from a 25-year career in ministry. He served the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Pueblo from 2002 to 2005. He plans to visit Pueblo this fall to do research for other books in the series. He now lives in Panama City Beach, Fla.

“Wisdom Through Failure: Guiding Principles for Life and Business,” Novus Orsa Press, $20

John Burton, a former Puebloan and a graduate of the University of Southern Colorado, has released the book, “Wisdom Through Failure: Guiding Principles for Life and Business,” which suggests that “only through our willingness to accept and embrace failure can we attain true wisdom.”

A writer, speaker and coach, Burton teaches communication strategies to individuals, couples and business leaders. He is a Tucson, Ariz., resident and leads workshops, retreats and team-building programs.